Declan Rice spoke to TNT Sport after Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Bournemouth this afternoon, a game in which he provided an assist and scored a late goal to seal the win. Here’s what he had to say.
On the performance ..
Yeah, I think you see in the first half it was domination. We could have been 4 or 5 up if I’m being honest with you. I missed a sitter, and I was fuming to be honest. I couldn’t let it go and I knew there was an opportunity for me today to score and assist.
Even for my goal then, you know, I was back in my own half and I just sensed it. All their players were out on their feet and I just kept going and going and arrived in a position that I’ve done quite frequently today. Goal, assist, and three points, yeah. After speaking yesterday, it’s what we needed.
Whether he prefers assists or goals …
Do you know what? I do like assisting. It just feels good for some reason. I’m sure all the top players in the world would say that as well, when they assist. It’s just something with feeling. Especially for me because I don’t get to do it much. But I’m delighted.
Like I said, it was a big result because they’ve been in some top form. They’re a really good team. Big respect to them. But we knew today it was business and we had to handle it.
Did it feel like one of those days after first half chances missed?
Yeah, it can do. You look back at the Villa game the other week when we had four or five in the first half and second half, it’s a bit cagey. I still think we can improve in the second half, it became a bit of a basketball match and that’s not our game. We could have been a bit more composed.
But to win 3-0, get it over the line, now leads into another big one next week and we’re fully focused.
Saka’s cool penalty …
Yeah, you know, fair play to him you know ever since the euros when he missed the penalty I think his mindset on penalties and the way he practices them and the way he now takes them in different positions at different spots … full credit to him because that takes courage.
Managing the nerves, possibly 2 games away from the title …
Do you know what? I think this year, I think, I wasn’t here last year, but I think this year I can sense that we’re just embracing it. You know, Man City, they’re a machine. You know, they win most of their games, but we can only focus on us. And we have been doing that in recent weeks. We’ve had an unbelievable 2024. I think the record that we’ve had is just out of this world.
So look, anything can happen in football. Surprises happen, miracles happen. And yeah, look, we’re obviously two games to go. We just got to stay focused.
Great buy!
Come on Wolves!
It would be nearly impossible to make a signing that tops this one this summer (except we somehow get Mbappe through the door).
The drive, mentality, hunger, passion, and humility this lad has are bigger than any talent he has with a football, for me. He has been exactly what we needed, I dare say we wouldn’t have faltered the way we did last season if we had him in the side. 6 more seasons here and he is going down as a legend, is what I see!
Yeah! There idno way i would trade him for mbappe though.
The fact that he has Irish DNA also helps; tough as nails.
Reminiscent of the Roy Keanes and Gerrards, Gael8c power!
It won’t be wolves, but Fulham do get up for the big boys, ourselves being proof. Good result today, means I can bask in the table and sun for a day
Didn’t quite get up enough for the Liverpool game the other day, though. And many in their team are on the beach already. Given the circumstances, Nottingham Forest was the one where I really thought it would happen. Alas, they just couldn’t take their chances that night!
Spurs will do it. Don’t you worry at all.
it’s incredible how saka’s penalty miss is still a thing to talk about, four years later. nowadays it’s often in the context of a compliment, but the fact that it is still being brought up so often to this day, blows my mind. it seems like every month there’s a reference to it. the only plays i hear about with that frequency are from when my national team won the world cup. saka must have some patience!
And incredibly, there were two other players who missed pens in that shootout as well as Saka and they literally never get mentioned. It’s utterly bizarre.
It is cos his penalty was the decisive one.
But still, I agree. It so bizzare the frequency at which it is being mentioned four years after the tournament
And it was at Wembley
He was 19, making his 4th senior cap (as a sub!). Guys like Sterling and Shaw let a kid step up and have to live with the blame if he misses.
Fun fact: Jorginho missed his penalty right before Saka, and the other two to miss that night were Sancho and Rashford.
As you say – it’s now mentioned in the context of a compliment. It is huge testament to his character that the miss did not affect his progress in any way – can you say the same about sancho and rashford? Hard to say for sure, but I can say with certainty who the most consistently excellent has been since the penalty misses, so maybe we should be celebrating that Saka has not gone the way of Sancho and Rashford – and perhaps that is why his miss is mentioned and the other two are not – Saka has left… Read more »
This team will CERTAINLY win the EPL Title sooner rather than later. It is clear for all to see. Their evolution in one season is unreal. Who would have thought at the beginning of the season that Arteta could field a complete first team without Zinchenko, Jesus and Martinelli? Further strengthening will make Arsenal a truly scary proposition in England and Europe next season. I have never been this excited since ’07 – ’08 season!
Dont forget timber 🙂
Everyone is happy but I have something else to gripe about and before you thumb me down, check my name. Why are all the Spanish managers wearing black sweaters these days? Arteta started this thing and now everyone is doing the same. Iraola, Alonso, and even Pep is copying him. Arteta is having a bad influence on the game. Wait until Richard Keys support me. If we can’t Police celebration, we are focused on fashion now.
Arteta was blatantly clapping and smiling after the game. There’s video of it if you don’t believe me! His wild celebrations are out of control. So disgraceful. Get down the tunnel!
Arsenal should be docked points for their celebrations. This is football, it’s not supposed to be FUN!
Imagine Arteta clapping and celebrating in an unapproved clothing.
Before you know it, impeccably dressed managers like gravel voice Shawn Dyke (the pride of English football) have started copying this bad behavior. Everton’s form has taken a positive turn since Dyke started wearing training kits. FA needs to do something before this gets out of hand. Ban Arteta and send him out of England. This is a travesty and it’s ruining the British football.
City are dropping points and then it will be on us to hold our nerve. I’m saying it will be in our hands on the final day. And I’m thrilled and terrified at the thought
Can see City losing two of their final four games
Need me the Korean Guy winning goal today
I would say he is what we have bern missing since Vieira. Someone who can win the ball an go forward too. There are not many footballets like that and we got the best.
I’d probably go with Odegaard or Saka as more footballets, but Rice can spin and leap and twirl too.
actually Declan is more of a footballad, whereas White is more of a footballearic beat
He has more Goals and assist than brazil first choice striker… Hell.. even brazil last choice defender scores more goals than that c*nt. We love our rice and gab. This team is special and they deserve to win the title. COYG!
Can’t city just lose 2 games. Even rice said miracles happen. We win our remaining 2 and happy days.
City only need to draw one game?